FB: American Rivers Conference

[footballdaddy]

FBDaddy... take Weber out, and you have a slightly less talented person in as a DB, probably an equally talented receiver and you can stick anyone back there that can catch a ball to return punts.  Weber is a great talent, but if Cody Kelley doesn't win the conference MVP when he was a MUCH better all-around player essentially making the mold for a guy like Weber, Weber won't win it this year.  There are several other players that have been mentioned that carry teams to wins.  Wartburg is solid without Weber... but Central, UD and Luther all might have at least 1 more 'L' this year were it not for the play of Connell, Sherdan and Jackson.

My points exactly. My feeling is who is more valuable to his own team, not who puts up the best stats. It would take multiple players to replace Weber or Breitbach. To me that shows value to the team.
Respect your opinion but disagree on every comment about Weber.  Slightly less talented DB after Weber? Not even close, Weber is a stud.  If there was an equally talented receiver behind him don't you think the coaching staff would use Weber strictly as a DB?  And yes, many people can catch the punt, but can they return?  Not at all.  Cody Kelley got screwed for the MVP back then, I hope it doesn't happen to Weber, especially if the Knights go undefeated in the conference.

[dutchfan1]

Our team got knocked out of the playoff hunt in week 8. Solon and Tipton are very good. Our other loss this year was to Starmont; and A-P found out how good they were in week 9.

Show--looks like I'll be driving to Carrol on Wed. to help my good friend Penner again. Good luck at Hampton.

Aren't you forgetting about another loss.  I'm thinking particularly about the one that ruined your homecoming...

Nice try Sportsknight...I've worked 15 miles west for 2 years now. We ruined YOUR alma mater's homecoming this year.

Ahh, didn't know you had moved over to MV.  I actually lived in Hopkinton the first 5 years I was alive, but thankfully my parents came to their senses in 1988 and we laid tracks out of that hellhole.

That's funny -- I spent about the first 11 years of my life in Delhi, which is not much better.....uggh

[Walston Hoover]

As much as I agree  about Brautigham and COY, I think it would be criminal if the Knights won the conf and he did not get coach of the year. Lets not forget he inherited a team coming off their worst season since 1997 and is only in his second year as a head man.
No way McMartin wins COY this year. If its not Koehler, its Brautigham.

Sounds like you think Koehler should win it unless the Knights lose to Central, then it should be Brautigham   Why wouldn't McMartin be COY if the Dutch go undefeated   If the Knights win the conference, why does Koehler automatically get it  Isn't the Knight loss to Augsburg a worse loss than a Dutch loss to the Knights   I think Brautigham gets COY. 

If McMartin wins it this year, then I will become a conspiracy theorist about a plot against the evil empire because of Willis getting slighted. When he didn't win, it was because everyone expected Wartburg to be at the top anyway (That was the explanation from a lot of people).
I know how hard it is to stay at the top with everyone gunning for you, but the precedent (I know it doesn't count) has been set already.

[Walston Hoover]

Sorry-didn't see your comment about a Knights loss vs and Augsburg loss.
The losses may be worse, but head-to-head is what counts.
As someone posted earlier, that Augsburg loss (while still a bad one) is not quite as bad as it seemed when it happened since they are probably going to finish .500 this year.

[Walston Hoover]

If that is indeed Cody Pierce posting,
maybe he should worry more about his 2-4, below average defense that no one's cared about for the last 4 weeks than touting himself for a postseason award.

[dbljay21]

As much as I agree  about Brautigham and COY, I think it would be criminal if the Knights won the conf and he did not get coach of the year. Lets not forget he inherited a team coming off their worst season since 1997 and is only in his second year as a head man.
No way McMartin wins COY this year. If its not Koehler, its Brautigham.

Sounds like you think Koehler should win it unless the Knights lose to Central, then it should be Brautigham   Why wouldn't McMartin be COY if the Dutch go undefeated   If the Knights win the conference, why does Koehler automatically get it  Isn't the Knight loss to Augsburg a worse loss than a Dutch loss to the Knights   I think Brautigham gets COY. 

If McMartin wins it this year, then I will become a conspiracy theorist about a plot against the evil empire because of Willis getting slighted. When he didn't win, it was because everyone expected Wartburg to be at the top anyway (That was the explanation from a lot of people).
I know how hard it is to stay at the top with everyone gunning for you, but the precedent (I know it doesn't count) has been set already.

Thanks for the insight into your thoughts Walston...the precedent has been set, as you said.  But, lets be honest, Wartburg and Central were at the top of most people's projections for the IIAC this year, so the "everyone expected them to at the top" argument loses some validity if Koehler wins it.  Any team/coach who goes undefeated in conference play deserves serious consideration for COY.  It should be interesting to see the results.  I still think Brautigham wins it this year, regardless of who wins the conference.  He has done a superb job.

[ramfan27]

Assuming both Wartburg and Central win this week I would say you give the coach of the year to whoever wins the game.  Yes Central and Wartburg were picked to win the conference, but McMartin has done it without the reigning two time conference MVP.  If people told me Schuring would be hurt as much this year as he was before the season, I don't know that I would've picked the Dutch as the favorite.  Not to mention you can't win as many close games as the Dutch did without great coaching, thats what separates teams in games like that.  Say the Knights were to slip against the Rams this weekend (fingers crossed!  ) and then go on to beat the Dutch next week, I'd say Brautigham would have a pretty good shot at it.  As far as MVP honors, for me it's the same debate as the Heisman.  Do you pick the best player on the best team (Troy Smith) or do you pick the actual player who is the best player in the conference.  If you go with the first scenario, it's probably Connell right now, if you go with the second criteria I'd definitely go with Sherden, IMHO.

[dbljay21]

As far as MVP honors, for me it's the same debate as the Heisman.  Do you pick the best player on the best team (Troy Smith) or do you pick the actual player who is the best player in the conference.  If you go with the first scenario, it's probably Connell right now, if you go with the second criteria I'd definitely go with Sherden, IMHO.

That is a great point, ramfan...+k for the perspective 

[DutchHawk]

I think the MVP is a toss up...although I leave Weber out of it as well. I think it comes down to Jackson, Sherden, Connell. I will look through the red tint and give it to Jackson, they dont make the turn around the last couple years without him.

COY goes to Brautigam as well, as much as I truly disliked him on my recruiting visit he has done good work with DBQ. Koehler inherited a 7-3 team and was an internal hire, I dont see that as grounds to win over what Brautigam has done. Its not comparable to McMartins job after the 5-5 year.

Dubuque sweeps the awards, Central wins the title, Wartburg is the bridesmaid again!

[Walston Hoover]

Assuming both Wartburg and Central win this week I would say you give the coach of the year to whoever wins the game.  Yes Central and Wartburg were picked to win the conference, but McMartin has done it without the reigning two time conference MVP.  If people told me Schuring would be hurt as much this year as he was before the season, I don't know that I would've picked the Dutch as the favorite.  Not to mention you can't win as many close games as the Dutch did without great coaching, thats what separates teams in games like that.  Say the Knights were to slip against the Rams this weekend (fingers crossed!  ) and then go on to beat the Dutch next week, I'd say Brautigham would have a pretty good shot at it.  As far as MVP honors, for me it's the same debate as the Heisman.  Do you pick the best player on the best team (Troy Smith) or do you pick the actual player who is the best player in the conference.  If you go with the first scenario, it's probably Connell right now, if you go with the second criteria I'd definitely go with Sherden, IMHO.

You should qualify that by saying best "Offensive" player.

ANd dbljay- I'm taking into account that Koehler is only in his 2nd year as the head man at Wartburg and has yet to win a conf title (also the team hasn't since 2004). If Willis were still there, I say give it to Brautigham. He's had a lot more time to mold the team the way he wants it to be than Koehler.

[doolittledog]

Hey, DutchHawk, tell us about your recruiting visits.  I always like hearing what you guys thought of schools on your visits and why you liked or disliked the coaches or schools. 

[dbljay21]

ANd dbljay- I'm taking into account that Koehler is only in his 2nd year as the head man at Wartburg and has yet to win a conf title (also the team hasn't since 2004). If Willis were still there, I say give it to Brautigham. He's had a lot more time to mold the team the way he wants it to be than Koehler.

Are Koehler's ideas/visions for Wartburg that different from Willis that he needs time to re-shape the Knights?

[Klopenhiemer]

Hey, DutchHawk, tell us about your recruiting visits.  I always like hearing what you guys thought of schools on your visits and why you liked or disliked the coaches or schools. 

now doolittle are you going to take offense and make a big deal out it, if dutchhawk says he was creeped out by the UD coach 

[footballdaddy]

As competitive as the conference is this year, I'd give it to the coach who has the best conference record at the end of the season. I could be swayed to Brautigham because of the improvement in their record, although next year may tell us if it's the players or the coach. But if Central and Wartburg are undefeated on the 10th, I think the winner takes it all.

[Purple Heys]

Regarding Player of the Year...

To not mention Chris Gustafson is a disservice to the effort this young man puts out EVERY play EVERY weekend.

Gus leads the league in tackles, he's blocked 4 kicks this year...just about every big play Cornell had, he's been involved in.

Sure, Cornell's Defense has its issues...take him and put him at LB for Wartburg or Central and you tell me how much recognition this kid would get...he gets no where near what he should get that's for sure.

That he has NOT quit after what has to be a frustrating season is a tribute to his leadership, character, and ability.  Guarantee you that he won't be quitting on the next two games either.

Imagine how things would be at Cornell without him.